User reviews

I thoroughly enjoyed attending the World Premier of Circle the Wagen at the Route 66 Film Festival. Our classic Camper Bus was part of the impressive line of classic VWs on Central (historic Route 66) in front of the Guild Cinema theater.

Documentaries usually don't entertain me but this film is a refreshing departure from what I expect out of a documentary. Ryan Green did an excellent job taking the viewer along the ups and downs Dave and Charlie lived with the Croc. Being a long time classic VW enthusiast (and therefore also a homegrown mechanic) I wanted to jump into the film to help fix the Croc! Fellow enthusiasts did jump in and fill the need.

My word for this film is "inspirational". I left the theater wanting to revisit and complete every undone project I've ever started. To think they almost didn't complete this film! I'm so glad they did!

How did they get to LA? You'll have to watch it to find out. I will say it wasn't easy but if it were, where would the adventure be?

I attended the premier of Circle the Wagen last weekend during the inaugural Albuquerque Film and Media Experience and I can say without reservation that you will enjoy this film. In addition to providing a glimpse into the untold, unsung and remarkable world of the vintage Volkswagen cult, you have here both a satisfying 'buddy picture' coupled with an amazing, extended road trip. In documentary style, Dave Torstenson and Charlie Pecoraro record every foot of the journey from Tulsa to Santa Monica, much of which takes place on old U.S. 66. For anyone who has ever attempted a cross-country trip in a vintage vehicle, you will recognize all their trials and tribulations (including a hair-raising montage of the road from Kingman to Oatman, Ariz.). One cringes as the next inevitable crisis unfolds. The story is well told with good humor and a decided lack of the ear-banging and fast cutting that plague most current films. The hand of a skillful editor is apparent in the production. Circle the Wagen also features some brilliant animation slightly reminiscent of Monty Python. This is first class stuff and given the tight budget and that this is a first effort, it is something of a minor miracle. I don't know of any definite distribution plans, but should you have the opportunity to see Circle the Wagen, do it.

Is this supposed to be a take off of"On the Road" vs "Dumb and Dumber" vs just how incredibly stupid can one person be and still get sympathy from a huge amount of people. This guy is so frustrating, his parents should be severly slapped and sterilized so there is no way that they can continue to degrade the gene pool. He should also be sterilized. If this was put out as a fictional comedy, it would have been more reasonable, but, put out as reality, come on, get real. This is one of those productions that make me feel that there is truly no hope for humanity

I had the honor of attending Circle the Wagen's sold-out world premiere at the Albuquerque Film & Media Experience and loved every moment of it. The VW Beetle limousine and long line of VW buses parked along Central Avenue in front of the Guild Cinema hinted that the movie was going to be something special. It didn't disappoint. You'll start out wondering what kind of nut would buy on eBay, sight unseen, a 1971 Volkswagen bus and try to drive it halfway across the country to get it home. But, it won't take you long to be glad that he did. You'll smile when you hear the distinctive sound of the air-cooled motor roaring to life and cringe each time it inevitably dies. You'll laugh at Dave's and Charlie's hapless attempts to get just a few more miles down the road. And, you'll cheer when the VW faithful come to the rescue, helping a couple of guys they had never even met before the journey began. So, if you love old Volkswagens or ever had a hare-brained idea, been stranded beside the road, or blessed by the kindness of strangers, then Circle the Wagen has something for you.

I attended the world premiere of "Circle the Wagen" at the Albuquerque Film & Media Experience on June 9th. Wow! What an experience! In part because there were a lot of VW die hards in the crowd (many of whom where in the movie), which made the premiere extra special. Many of these folks knew first hand of the trials and tribulations that have been part of the 6 year journey of the making of this first class documentary. In my case, I had read about this film in the Orange County (CA) Register a few weeks prior and just joined the party. I knew I'd like the movie because it was about a VW and the VW community, two very likable clueless dudes (Dave and Charlie) and working hard behind the scenes was a very talented, up-and-coming director (Ryan Steven Green.) I didn't realize I'd LOVE the movie, though. In part because it had me laughing throughout, was a feel good story and, like every great movie, I kept looking at my watch as I didn't want it to end. I'm not a prude, but on a side note, it was kind of cool that you could take young kids to this, too! On the worst days with the '72 Bus (The Croc) you never even hear a single "F" bomb out of the guys. Awesome job, Circle the Wagen Team! Hope we can see it on the big screen again soon!

Circle the Wagon was engaging and entertaining the whole ride. The editing was tight, with arcs evenly paced throughout. I'm really hoping that this film makes it through and becomes available online or at other film festivals so I can share it with friends and family (and stop trying to describe it!). It IS a buddy film (for one) and the friendship between the protagonists and the friendships they develop is a special aspect of the film.

You don't have to know about VW Bus culture to become engaged in this film, and I don't think the filmmakers knew that much about VWs in the beginning either. Rather, this is a really funny documentary about the humanity, humility and hilarity when you follow your crazy dream.Having filmmaker friends I've learned that "the unexpected" is really what makes a documentary and it's what you hope for. Circle the Wagon got that element of surprise--it's the best movie I've seen all year.

This is a great movie - "road trip/buddy/docu/dramedy" is a great description because not one category can define it and it has the best elements of all the genres. It has a great hook and a great set-up and then you're along for the ride, on what might as well be a buddy narrative dramedy, but it just happens to be true, which makes it way more moving and way more hilarious! The fact that Dave and Charlie are so accessible and honest and fun, and that the people they meet along the way are so helpful and kind and open, really leaves a sense of nostalgia in your mind for a few days after watching it, of a better time when people took care of their neighbors. And the fact that Charlie - while definitely worthless in terms of car repair - is oh so devilishly good-looking - it's worth a watch just for him alone.

After speaking with Charlie on the phone regarding reservations, I most definitely wanted to see the film. As my shift at the motel ended 90 minutes before viewing time I wandered over to the theatre to see about getting in. I was one of the lucky ones! Charlie? I was willing to pay for my ticket... Thank you again.

What a wonderful movie! Once I made it back to my computer and logged on to Facebook, I sent a message to my friends asking them if they had the chance to please go to see "Circle the Wagen" and briefly explained what it was all about. Many asked right then and there where it would be shown; so I'm hoping in the not too distant future they will be able to view it. It was so good I'm thinking you guys just might have a future in this movie making stuff.

This film was a treat to view. It chronicles the journey of two friends across the country in a VW bus that was purchased sight-unseen in a dismal state of repair. This film is accessible to people without any knowledge of VWs, so don't think that it is a high-context esoteric experience only enjoyable to the initiated. There are animated sequences that mesh well with the film, and the production value of the entire film is excellent. The director has done an excellent job placing this story in the greater context of VW culture, as well as American society as a whole. I look forward to seeing future works from this filmmaker.

I had a chance to watch this recently and I was thoroughly surprised by this "documentary"

I put that word in quotes because it really didn't play to me like your typical documentary does. This was a very endearing story about a couple of really likable guys who set out to do something rather ambitious yet mundane - drive this VW bus halfway across the United States.

It sounds simple, but it ends up being anything but. This bus - "the croc" is about as close to vehicular death as any vehicle can be. Travelling the shortest of distances down route 66 proves to be an exercise in frustration and futility.

Here's where this movie really sets itself apart. There are much deeper human stories going on here. First you have Dave - the owner of the croc. Dave you find out through family and friends is a very affable, friendly not-so-handy guy with a long history of unfinished business. The act of getting this bus to California ends up being much more than just simple transportation for Dave - it's a very meaningful life journey.

Dave's sidekick on this journey is Charlie, who is part comic relief and part unflinching much needed moral support. Sometimes just seeing Charlie in-frame smoking his pipe is enough to put a smile on your face.

Lastly, something that really shines through here is the connection between people that really restores some faith in humanity and the good will around you. All along this journey Dave, Charlie and the croc are pushed, pulled, disassembled and revived by a brotherhood of VW aficionados and their associates that will amaze you with their generosity and kindness.

You will groan with frustration when the croc sputters and dies...again and again and again. You will cheer when it starts back up again limping Dave and Charlie westward one mile at a time.

I was able to see this film at the Topanga Film Festival in CA. What a wonderful amalgamation of passion, friendship, trust, and adventure. I laughed, cried, shivered, and cheered through the adventures taken by these two friends to follow a dream. I learned of the humanity that still exists across our country and was encouraged at the level people will still go to help one another. What an encouraging and entertaining film for the whole family. If you see nothing else, be sure to treat yourself to this documentary. This film will both restore your faith in people and leave you feeling passionate about this unique and relatively unknown (to the general population) subculture. Thanks to the Circle the Wagen Team for bringing this film to fruition and providing a wonderful glimpse of what good people are still like in this country.